Contributing to Society through Sports

As part of its CSR activities, the Kobe Steel Group contributes to society through sports.

The Kobe Steel Group continues its unique tradition of revitalizing society through sports, including support for high school rugby (which is a vital pillar of the sport in Japan), community and society interaction on the part of the Kobe Steel Rugby Club, and support for a diverse array of local sports.

Contributing to Society through Rugby

For almost 90 years, the Kobe Steel Rugby Club has been at the forefront of rugby in Japan. Not only have the Kobelco Steelers flourished in Japan's Top League, the club promotes rugby and contributes to society across a wide and growing field, including efforts to popularize the sport, and support for recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Special Support for KOBELCO Cup 2016

The Kobe Steel Group sponsors the KOBELCO Cup (the all-Japan high school division men's rugby football tournament and all-Japan high school division women's rugby football tournament) as a way to support high school rugby. Athletes chosen from throughout the country are given the chance to raise their skills through high-level matches. Alumni ("Classic Steelers") of the Kobe Steel Rugby Club also offer support during the tournament.

The first KOBELCO Cup was held in Yubari, Hokkaido, in 2005. In its fourth year, 2008, the tournament was moved to Sugadaira in Nagano Prefecture. The 12th tournament was held in fiscal 2016, from July 28-31. U17 and U18 players elected from nine nation-wide regional blocks engaged in spirited play, in anticipation of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

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KOBELCO Cup 2016 group photo

Supporting Men and Women's High School Rugby

U18 Hanazono Women's 15-Player Tournament match

U18 Hanazono Women's 15-Player Tournament
match

The Kobe Steel Group sponsors the National High School Rugby Tournament (nickname: Hanazono). The 96th tournament was held in fiscal 2016, with representatives from 51 schools, who had battled their way through regional qualifying rounds, competing for glory.

As part of the tournament, after the December 27 opening ceremony, a U18 Hanazono Women's 15-Player Tournament is held, to strengthen and promote 15-player women's rugby. Matches were held between 44 high school senior and younger female athletes chosen from throughout the country, divided into Eastern and Western teams.

Before the January 7 finals, we also held a U18 All-Stars Team East Vs. West Match (known as "The Other Hanazono"), for high school rugby players who can't make it to Hanazono due to a lack of rugby players at their schools. 25 players each, selected from eastern and western Japan, lit up the field.

Rugby Workshops Held to Support Recovery from Great East Japan Earthquake

Teaching the joy of rugby to elementary schools students in Tohoku

Teaching the joy of rugby to elementary schools
students in Tohoku

The Kobe Steel Rugby Club has donated money for areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Additionally, athletes and staff member have been engaging in local activities to support recovery. On March 25, 2017, the first Classrooms to Support Children's Futures rugby workshop was held. Just one part of recovery efforts sponsored by a local newspaper, the Classrooms to Support Children's Futures program offers company-backed lessons in social studiesand other topics, aiming to foster hope for the future in the children most vital for revitalization of the area.

Forty-Four girls and boys in elementary school grades four through six participated in the rugby workshop, with four athletes serving as coaches. The workshop was split into experienced and beginner players, with the experienced players engaging in matches and the beginners in more light-hearted games, thus allowing all participants to experience the joy of rugby. Amidst a light flurry of snow, the grounds echoed with cheers and enthusiasm.

Donating to the Japan Spinal Cord Foundation

Together with members from the Japan Spinal Cord Foundation

Together with members from the Japan Spinal
Cord Foundation

On October 28, 2016, the Kobe Steel Rugby Club donated ¥218,428 to the Japan Spinal Cord Foundation (an NPO). These funds came from match fundraising activities held during the last season and a portion of the proceeds of the KOBELCO Rugby Festival 2016, which was held on July 17, 2016.

The Kobe Steel Rugby Club has been donating to the Foundation for 14 years, as spinal cord damage is an injury to which rugby players are particularly susceptible, and plans to continue carrying out fundraising activities to this end.

Kobelco Steelers Visit Okayama Prefecture Rehabilitation Center

The players visiting the rehabilitation center

The players visiting the rehabilitation center

The players visiting the rehabilitation center

On March 28, 2017, Kobe Steel Rugby Club players Sato and Yasui visited Kibikogen Rehabilitation Center. They came to visit Harada, a high school rugby player who was injured in an accident during a match in September of last year, and encourage him to get well. Harada is currently recovering, and working hard on his rehabilitation.

Sato and Yasui spent approximately an hour talking with Harada about rugby, life in the hospital and his rehabilitation. Sato and Yasui felt like they were the ones being cheered up, listening to Harada talk about how optimistic he is, and how he is looking forward to getting better. The whole team is rooting for Harada's swift recovery.

Supporting a Variety of Sports

We provide a variety of sporting venues and opportunities, contributing to regional exchanges and the healthy development of children.

Nadahama Sports Zone, Promoting Regional Exchange through Sports

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The artificial-turf sports ground and tennis courts at the Nadahama Sports Zone, which is home to the Kobe Steel Rugby Club, are open to the general public. Equipment for sports such as rugby, soccer, American football and ground golf are also available for rent. The field serves as a gathering place for sports-loving members of the community, including local schools, rugby teams and soccer teams.

Spreading a New Sport: Space Ball

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Space Ball is a new sport devised by SCIX, a sports NPO supported by Kobe Steel. Like rugby and soccer, it involves moving a ball through space, and was designed to train children's physical abilities and spatial awareness.

SCIX relies on the Kobe Steel Group's unique collection of rugby professionals and facilities, inviting local elementary school children to Nadahama Sports Zone to participate in the new sport.

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